Radiofrequency perforation apparatus

Abstract

A radiofrequency perforation apparatus for creating a channel at a target location in a body of a patient, the radiofrequency perforation apparatus being usable by an intended user having a hand, the radiofrequency perforation apparatus comprising: a handle graspable by the hand; a distal portion, the distal portion defining a distal portion length, the distal portion including an electrode and an electrical insulator extending from the electrode; and a force transmitting portion extending between the distal portion and the handle, the force transmitting portion defining a force transmitting portion length, the force transmitting portion length being larger than the distal portion length, the force transmitting portion having a force transmitting portion flexural rigidity of at least about 0.016 Nm 2 ; whereby the force transmitting portion has a force transmitting portion flexural rigidity allowing the transmission to the handle of contact forces exerted on the distal portion when the distal portion contacts the target location to provide tactile feedback to the intended user.

1. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus for creating a channel at a target location in a body of a patient, said radiofrequency perforation apparatus comprising:
 a handle; 
 a distal portion, said distal portion defining a distal portion length and a distal tip, said distal tip including an electrode and said distal portion including an electrical insulator extending from said electrode; and 
 a force transmitting portion extending between said distal portion and said handle, said force transmitting portion defining a force transmitting portion length, said force transmitting portion length being larger than said distal portion length, said force transmitting portion having a force transmitting portion flexural rigidity of at least about 0.016 Nm 2 ; 
 whereby said force transmitting portion has a force transmitting portion flexural rigidity allowing the transmission to said handle of contact forces exerted on said distal portion when said distal portion contacts said target location to provide tactile feedback to said intended user. 
 
     
     
       2. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said distal portion has a distal portion flexural rigidity of at least about 0.0019 Nm 2 . 
     
     
       3. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a sum of said force transmitting and distal portions lengths is from about 30 cm to about 100 cm. 
     
     
       4. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said force transmitting and distal portions are electrically conductive, said electrical insulator substantially covering said force transmitting and distal portions with said electrode substantially deprived from said electrical insulator. 
     
     
       5. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said force transmitting and distal portions are electrically conductive, said electrical insulator extending substantially longitudinally along a section of said radiofrequency perforation apparatus, said electrical insulator defining an insulator distal end located substantially adjacent to said electrode and an insulator proximal end located between said insulator distal end and said handle, said insulator proximal end being substantially spaced apart from said handle. 
     
     
       6. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , further comprising an other electrical insulator extending substantially longitudinally substantially adjacent to said handle, said other electrical insulator being substantially longitudinally spaced apart from said insulator proximal end. 
     
     
       7. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said radiofrequency perforation apparatus defines a lumen extending substantially longitudinally through said force transmitting portion and through a section of said distal portion, said lumen terminating in said distal portion at a location substantially spaced apart from said distal tip. 
 
     
     
       8. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said distal portion defines an aperture extending substantially radially outwardly from said lumen. 
     
     
       9. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said distal portion defines a curved section defining a center of curvature, said aperture extending from said lumen substantially towards said center of curvature. 
     
     
       10. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said radiofrequency perforation apparatus defines a lumen peripheral surface extending substantially peripherally relatively to said lumen, said lumen peripheral surface being substantially covered with a lumen electrically insulating material. 
     
     
       11. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said force transmitting portion includes a substantially tubular section defining a tubular section outer surface and a tubular section inner surface, said tubular section inner and outer surfaces being distanced from each other by a tubular section thickness, said substantially tubular section thickness being from about 0.05 mm to about 0.4 mm, said tubular section having a maximal outer diameter of from about 0.4 mm to about 1.5 mm. 
     
     
       12. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a heat shield made out of a substantially thermally insulating material, said heat shield being located substantially adjacent to said electrode. 
     
     
       13. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said heat shield protrudes substantially radially outwardly from the remainder of said distal portion. 
     
     
       14. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said heat shield extends substantially longitudinally from said electrode in a direction leading towards said handle. 
     
     
       15. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said heat shield is made out of polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
       16. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said force transmitting and distal portions together include:
 a substantially tubular member mechanically coupled to said handle, said substantially tubular member defining a member passageway extending substantially longitudinally therethrough: and 
 an end member inserted partially into said member passageway substantially longitudinally opposed to said handle, said electrode being located about said end member. 
 
     
     
       17. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said electrical insulator includes a first electrically insulating layer made out of a first electrically insulating material, said first electrically insulating layer substantially covering said substantially tubular member substantially adjacent said end member and a second electrically insulating layer made out of a second electrically insulating material, said second electrically insulating layer substantially covering said end member with said electrode substantially deprived from said second electrically insulating layer, said second electrically insulating layer being substantially thinner than said first electrically insulating layer. 
     
     
       18. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said radiofrequency perforation apparatus includes a substantially rectilinear section and a curved section extending from said substantially rectilinear section. 
     
     
       19. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said curved section has a curve length of from about 10 to about 25 cm and traverses from about 20° to about 40° of a circle. 
     
     
       20. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said curved section has a curve length of from about 4 to about 7 cm and traverses from about 70° to about 110° of a circle. 
     
     
       21. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said substantially rectilinear section is made out of stainless steel and said curved section is made out of Nitinol. 
     
     
       22. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said distal tip is substantially atraumatic. 
     
     
       23. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said distal tip has a substantially bullet-shaped configuration. 
     
     
       24. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said handle defines at least two ridges. 
     
     
       25. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said distal portion has a distal portion flexural rigidity of about 0.0021 Nm 2  and said force transmitting portion has a force transmitting portion flexural rigidity of about 0.017 Nm 2 . 
     
     
       26. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said force transmitting portion comprises at least a majority of a length of the apparatus. 
     
     
       27. A radiofrequency perforation apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said electrode is substantially atraumatic.